Singer Phil Collins to donate his collection of artifacts to Alamo

Updated 2:58 am, Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, AP

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Singer and Alamo collector Phil Collins, right, talks with members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas after the Dawn at the Alamo ceremony in San Antonio, March 6, 2009. The annual ceremony honors the 200 fallen Alamo defenders and nearly 600 Mexican troops killed or wounded in the battle of the Alamo. less

Singer and Alamo collector Phil Collins, right, talks with members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas after the Dawn at the Alamo ceremony in San Antonio, March 6, 2009. The annual ceremony honors the 200 ... more

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, AP

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British pop music superstar and history buff Phil Collins talks about his interest in the Alamo as he was on hand Thursday when the Alamo Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas hold the Annual Memorial Service to the Heroes of the Alamo in the Alamo Shrine, Mar. 6, 2008.

British pop music superstar and history buff Phil Collins talks about his interest in the Alamo as he was on hand Thursday when the Alamo Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas hold the

A Mexican army grenade is part of the collection of singer Phil Collins.

A Mexican army grenade is part of the collection of singer Phil Collins.

Photo: Courtesy Phil Collins

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Singer and Alamo artifact collector Phil Collins, poses for a picture with Mei Lai, taken by Richard Hernandez in front of The Alamo, March 5, 2009. Lai and Hernandez work for the Discovery Channel at the Alamo Audio Tour booth.

Singer and Alamo artifact collector Phil Collins, poses for a picture with Mei Lai, taken by Richard Hernandez in front of The Alamo, March 5, 2009. Lai and Hernandez work for the Discovery Channel at the Alamo

Circa 1830s, this over-and-under flintlock pistol was found on the Alamo grounds by a construction worker. Due to its place of discovery, there is no doubt it was used by one of the Alamo defenders during the siege or on March 6 itself. less

Circa 1830s, this over-and-under flintlock pistol was found on the Alamo grounds by a construction worker. Due to its place of discovery, there is no doubt it was used by one of the Alamo defenders during the ... more

Photo: Courtesy Phil Collins

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METRO - Singer and Alamo collector Phil Collins, left, talks with reenactors John Potter and Carol Pape after the Dawn at the Alamo in San Antonio on Friday, March 6, 2009. Potter and Pape are getting married to each other in front of the Alamo on Friday at 6 p.m. LISA KRANTZ/lkrantz@express-news.net less

METRO - Singer and Alamo collector Phil Collins, left, talks with reenactors John Potter and Carol Pape after the Dawn at the Alamo in San Antonio on Friday, March 6, 2009. Potter and Pape are getting married ... more

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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The British-made Brown Bess musket, with powder horn and bullet mold, was the weapon of the Mexican Army. Phil Collins has given readers a look at his collection in his new book, "The Alamo and Beyond: A Collector's Journey." less

The British-made Brown Bess musket, with powder horn and bullet mold, was the weapon of the Mexican Army. Phil Collins has given readers a look at his collection in his new book, "The Alamo and Beyond: A ... more

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Phil Collins talks with DRT member Laura Garcia as he was on hand when the Alamo Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas held the Annual Memorial Service to the Heroes of the Alamo in the Alamo Shrine, March 6, 2008. less

Phil Collins talks with DRT member Laura Garcia as he was on hand when the Alamo Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas held the Annual Memorial Service to the Heroes of the Alamo in the ... more

Photo: J. MICHAEL SHORT, For The San Antonio Express-News

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Singer Phil Collins stands on the set of John Wayne's "The Alamo" in Brackettville.

Singer Phil Collins stands on the set of John Wayne's "The Alamo" in Brackettville.

Photo: Courtesy State House Press

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The San Antonio Conservation Society’s Publication Awards Phil Collins' Texas history book "The Alamo and Beyond."

The San Antonio Conservation Society’s Publication Awards Phil Collins' Texas history book "The Alamo and Beyond."

This Bowie knife, part of a collection of items belonging to Texas revolutionist Jesse Robinson, who fought under James Bowie at the Battle of Concepcion and the Siege of Bexar, and under Gen. Sam Houston at San Jacinto. It has a brass strip on the 14-inch blade and four six-pointed stars on the hand guard. less

This Bowie knife, part of a collection of items belonging to Texas revolutionist Jesse Robinson, who fought under James Bowie at the Battle of Concepcion and the Siege of Bexar, and under Gen. Sam Houston at ... more

Photo: Courtesy Phil Collins

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Singer Phil Collins (far right) talks with San Antonio residents Henry Parrilla (left) and Gilbert Velasquez after Parrilla and Velasquez watched the Alamo diorama light and sound show at The History Shop in 2009. less

Singer Phil Collins (far right) talks with San Antonio residents Henry Parrilla (left) and Gilbert Velasquez after Parrilla and Velasquez watched the Alamo diorama light and sound show at The History Shop in ... more

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, San Antonio Express-News

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The Alamo's former director of marketing and public relations Tony Caridi poses with singer and Alamo enthusiast Phil Collins in 2010.

The Alamo's former director of marketing and public relations Tony Caridi poses with singer and Alamo enthusiast Phil Collins in 2010.

Photo: COURTESY PHOTO

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Singer Phil Collins to donate his collection of artifacts to Alamo

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SAN ANTONIO — Rock singer and Texana artifact collector Phil Collins will come to San Antonio this week to announce the donation of his collection to the Alamo, the Texas General Land Office said Tuesday.

Collins, a multiple Grammy Award winner and avowed Alamo devotee, will announce the donation at the Alamo at 10 a.m. Thursday. He is believed to have the largest private collection of Texas Revolution artifacts, most stored at his home in Switzerland.

The collection, documented in Collins' 2012 book, “The Alamo and Beyond: A Collector's Journey,” includes items thought to have been owned by Alamo defenders Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett, as well as a receipt signed by commander William Barret Travis for “30 heads of beeves” to feed his men.

According to the Land Office, many of the items will return to the Alamo for the first time since 1836, when it was the site of a 13-day siege and battle in the war for Texas independence from Mexico. The agency did not say when the items would be on public display.

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